Network coding for bandwidth efficient reliability improvement for urllc service

ABSTRACT

A bandwidth efficient way to improve reliability without introducing additional latency is provided for Ultra-Reliable and Low Latency Communications (URLLC) service in  5 G NR. In particular, using rateless fountain codes in conjunction with packet duplication for split bearers at the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer increases the reliability of transmission without the need for retransmissions, and with a lower bandwidth requirement compared to traditional packet duplication

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates generally to the field of mobilecommunications and, more specifically, to using rateless codes forimproving bandwidth efficiency and reliability in a next generationwireless network.

BACKGROUND

To meet the huge demand for data centric applications, Third GenerationPartnership Project (3GPP) systems and systems that employ one or moreaspects of the specifications of the Fourth Generation (4G) standard forwireless communications will be extended to a Fifth Generation (5G)standard for wireless communications. Unique challenges exist to providelevels of service associated with forthcoming 5G and other nextgeneration network standards.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the subject disclosureare described with reference to the following figures, wherein likereference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various viewsunless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example wireless communication system inaccordance with various aspects and embodiments of the subjectdisclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example block diagram showing a rateless fountaincode encoding a packet in accordance with various aspects andembodiments of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example block diagram showing a multi-connectivitysplit bearer in accordance with various aspects and embodiments of thesubject disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example block diagram of a transmitter's packetdata convergence protocol layer in accordance with various aspects andembodiments of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example block diagram of a receiver's packet dataconvergence protocol layer in accordance with various aspects andembodiments of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example method for using rateless fountain codesto transmit a packet in accordance with various aspects and embodimentsof the subject disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example method for using rateless fountain codesto receive a packet in accordance with various aspects and embodimentsof the subject disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example block diagram of an example user equipmentthat can be a mobile handset in accordance with various aspects andembodiments of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example block diagram of a non-limiting embodimentof a mobile network platform in accordance with various aspectsdescribed herein.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example block diagram of a computer that can beoperable to execute processes and methods in accordance with variousaspects and embodiments of the subject disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more embodiments are now described with reference to thedrawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to likeelements throughout. In the following description, for purposes ofexplanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to providea thorough understanding of the various embodiments. It is evident,however, that the various embodiments can be practiced without thesespecific details (and without applying to any particular networkedenvironment or standard).

Various embodiments disclosed herein provide for a bandwidth efficientmethod and system for improving reliability without introducingadditional latency for Ultra-Reliable and Low Latency Communications(URLLC) service in 5G NR. In particular, using rateless fountain codesin conjunction with packet duplication for split bearers at the PacketData Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer increases the reliability oftransmission without the need for retransmissions, and with a lowerbandwidth requirement compared to traditional packet duplication.

In various embodiments, a transceiver device can comprise a processorand a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed bythe processor facilitate performance of operations. The operations cancomprise receiving a packet at a protocol stack of a radio accessnetwork. The operations can also comprise in response to determiningthat the packet is associated with a predefined radio access bearer,encoding the packet with a rateless fountain code, resulting in a groupof encoded packets. The operations can also comprise transmitting thegroup of encoded packets to a receiver device via a group of relaydevices.

In another embodiment, method comprises determining, by a radio accessnetwork device comprising a processor, that a packet is associated witha radio access bearer satisfying a defined criterion relating to latencyand reliability of the radio access bearer, wherein the radio accessnetwork device is part of a radio access network. The method can alsocomprise encoding, by the radio access network device, the packet with arateless fountain code resulting in a group of encoded packets. Themethod can also comprise transmitting, by the radio access networkdevice, the group of encoded packets to a user equipment device via asplit bearer associated with a group of network paths of the radioaccess network.

In another embodiment, a receiver device can comprise a processor and amemory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by theprocessor facilitate performance of operations. The operations cancomprise receiving encoded packets associated with a split bearer,wherein the encoded packets are received from respective relay devices.The operations can also comprise verifying an integrity of the encodedpackets. The operations can also comprise determining that the encodedpackets are associated with a radio access bearer satisfying a definedcriterion relating to latency and reliability. The operations can alsocomprise decoding the encoded packets using a rateless fountain code,resulting in a decoded packet.

As used in this disclosure, in some embodiments, the terms “component,”“system” and the like are intended to refer to, or comprise, acomputer-related entity or an entity related to an operational apparatuswith one or more specific functionalities, wherein the entity can beeither hardware, a combination of hardware and software, software, orsoftware in execution. As an example, a component may be, but is notlimited to being, a process running on a processor, a processor, anobject, an executable, a thread of execution, computer-executableinstructions, a program, and/or a computer. By way of illustration andnot limitation, both an application running on a server and the servercan be a component.

One or more components may reside within a process and/or thread ofexecution and a component may be localized on one computer and/ordistributed between two or more computers. In addition, these componentscan execute from various computer readable media having various datastructures stored thereon. The components may communicate via localand/or remote processes such as in accordance with a signal having oneor more data packets (e.g., data from one component interacting withanother component in a local system, distributed system, and/or across anetwork such as the Internet with other systems via the signal). Asanother example, a component can be an apparatus with specificfunctionality provided by mechanical parts operated by electric orelectronic circuitry, which is operated by a software application orfirmware application executed by a processor, wherein the processor canbe internal or external to the apparatus and executes at least a part ofthe software or firmware application. As yet another example, acomponent can be an apparatus that provides specific functionalitythrough electronic components without mechanical parts, the electroniccomponents can comprise a processor therein to execute software orfirmware that confers at least in part the functionality of theelectronic components. While various components have been illustrated asseparate components, it will be appreciated that multiple components canbe implemented as a single component, or a single component can beimplemented as multiple components, without departing from exampleembodiments.

Further, the various embodiments can be implemented as a method,apparatus or article of manufacture using standard programming and/orengineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware or anycombination thereof to control a computer to implement the disclosedsubject matter. The term “article of manufacture” as used herein isintended to encompass a computer program accessible from anycomputer-readable (or machine-readable) device or computer-readable (ormachine-readable) storage/communications media. For example, computerreadable storage media can comprise, but are not limited to, magneticstorage devices (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk, magnetic strips), opticaldisks (e.g., compact disk (CD), digital versatile disk (DVD)), smartcards, and flash memory devices (e.g., card, stick, key drive). Ofcourse, those skilled in the art will recognize many modifications canbe made to this configuration without departing from the scope or spiritof the various embodiments.

Moreover, terms such as “mobile device equipment,” “mobile station,”“mobile,” subscriber station,” “access terminal,” “terminal,” “handset,”“communication device,” “mobile device” (and/or terms representingsimilar terminology) can refer to a wireless device utilized by asubscriber or mobile device of a wireless communication service toreceive or convey data, control, voice, video, sound, gaming orsubstantially any data-stream or signaling-stream. The foregoing termsare utilized interchangeably herein and with reference to the relateddrawings. Likewise, the terms “access point (AP),” “Base Station (BS),”BS transceiver, BS device, cell site, cell site device, “gNode B (gNB),”“evolved Node B (eNode B),” “home Node B (HNB)” and the like, areutilized interchangeably in the application, and refer to a wirelessnetwork component or appliance that transmits and/or receives data,control, voice, video, sound, gaming or substantially any data-stream orsignaling-stream from one or more subscriber stations. Data andsignaling streams can be packetized or frame-based flows.

Furthermore, the terms “device,” “communication device,” “mobiledevice,” “subscriber,” “customer entity,” “consumer,” “customer entity,”“entity” and the like are employed interchangeably throughout, unlesscontext warrants particular distinctions among the terms. It should beappreciated that such terms can refer to human entities or automatedcomponents supported through artificial intelligence (e.g., a capacityto make inference based on complex mathematical formalisms), which canprovide simulated vision, sound recognition and so forth.

Embodiments described herein can be exploited in substantially anywireless communication technology, comprising, but not limited to,wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), global system for mobile communications(GSM), universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), worldwideinteroperability for microwave access (WiMAX), enhanced general packetradio service (enhanced GPRS), third generation partnership project(3GPP) long term evolution (LTE), third generation partnership project 2(3GPP2) ultra mobile broadband (UMB), high speed packet access (HSPA),Z-Wave, Zigbee and other 802.XX wireless technologies and/or legacytelecommunication technologies.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example wireless communication system 100 inaccordance with various aspects and embodiments of the subjectdisclosure. In one or more embodiments, system 100 can comprise one ormore user equipment UEs 104 and 102, which can have one or more antennapanels having vertical and horizontal elements. A UE 102 can be a mobiledevice such as a cellular phone, a smartphone, a tablet computer, awearable device, a virtual reality (VR) device, a heads-up display (HUD)device, a smart car, a machine-type communication (MTC) device, and thelike. UE 102 can also refer to any type of wireless device thatcommunicates with a radio network node in a cellular or mobilecommunication system. Examples of UE 102 are target device, device todevice (D2D) UE, machine type UE or UE capable of machine to machine(M2M) communication, PDA, Tablet, mobile terminals, smart phone, laptopembedded equipped (LEE), laptop mounted equipment (LME), USB donglesetc. User equipment UE 102 can also comprise IOT devices thatcommunicate wirelessly. In various embodiments, system 100 is orcomprises a wireless communication network serviced by one or morewireless communication network providers. In example embodiments, a UE102 can be communicatively coupled to the wireless communication networkvia a network node 106.

The non-limiting term network node (or radio network node) is usedherein to refer to any type of network node serving a UE 102 and UE 104and/or connected to other network node, network element, or anothernetwork node from which the UE 102 or 104 can receive a radio signal.Network nodes can also have multiple antennas for performing varioustransmission operations (e.g., MIMO operations). A network node can havea cabinet and other protected enclosures, an antenna mast, and actualantennas. Network nodes can serve several cells, also called sectors,depending on the configuration and type of antenna. Examples of networknodes (e.g., network node 106) can comprise but are not limited to:NodeB devices, base station (BS) devices, access point (AP) devices, andradio access network (RAN) devices. The network node 106 can alsocomprise multi-standard radio (MSR) radio node devices, including butnot limited to: an MSR BS, an eNode B, a network controller, a radionetwork controller (RNC), a base station controller (BSC), a relay, adonor node controlling relay, a base transceiver station (BTS), atransmission point, a transmission node, an RRU, an RRH, nodes indistributed antenna system (DAS), and the like. In 5G terminology, thenode 106 can be referred to as a gNodeB device.

Wireless communication system 100 can employ various cellulartechnologies and modulation schemes to facilitate wireless radiocommunications between devices (e.g., the UE 102 and 104 and the networknode 106). For example, system 100 can operate in accordance with aUMTS, long term evolution (LTE), high speed packet access (HSPA), codedivision multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA),frequency division multiple access (FDMA), multi-carrier code divisionmultiple access (MC-CDMA), single-carrier code division multiple access(SC-CDMA), single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA), OFDM, (DFT)-spread OFDM orSC-FDMA)), FBMC, ZT DFT-s-OFDM, GFDM, UFMC, UW DFT-Spread-OFDM, UW-OFDM,CP-OFDM, resource-block-filtered OFDM, and UFMC. However, variousfeatures and functionalities of system 100 are particularly describedwherein the devices (e.g., the UEs 102 and 104 and the network device106) of system 100 are configured to communicate wireless signals usingone or more multi carrier modulation schemes, wherein data symbols canbe transmitted simultaneously over multiple frequency subcarriers (e.g.,OFDM, CP-OFDM, DFT-spread OFMD, UFMC, FMBC, etc.).

In various embodiments, system 100 can be configured to provide andemploy 5G wireless networking features and functionalities. 5G wirelesscommunication networks are expected to fulfill the demand ofexponentially increasing data traffic and to allow people and machinesto enjoy gigabit data rates with virtually zero latency. Compared to 4G,5G supports more diverse traffic scenarios. For example, in addition tothe various types of data communication between conventional UEs (e.g.,phones, smartphones, tablets, PCs, televisions, Internet enabledtelevisions, etc.) supported by 4G networks, 5G networks can be employedto support data communication between smart cars in association withdriverless car environments, as well as machine type communications(MTCs).

Turning now to FIG. 2, illustrated is an example block diagram 200showing a rateless fountain code encoding a packet in accordance withvarious aspects and embodiments of the subject disclosure.

A rateless fountain code can be a class of erasure codes with theproperty that a potentially limitless sequence of encoding symbols canbe generated from a given set of source symbols such that the originalsource symbols can ideally be recovered from any subset of the encodingsymbols of size equal to or only slightly larger than the number ofsource symbols. The term fountain or rateless refers to the fact thatthese codes do not exhibit a fixed code rate. In an embodiment, ratelessfountain codes can generate any number of encoded symbols from a givenblock of k source symbols (hence, rateless). Then it is possible todecode the encoded symbols using any n transmitted symbols, where n>k(overhead rate=(n−k)/k).

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a packet 202 can be encoded with arateless fountain code resulting in three encoded packets, 204, 206, and208. Each of the encoded packets 204, 206, and 208 can comprise a set ofsource bits (e.g., 210, 214, and 218) and a set of repair bits 212, 216,and 220. The source bits comprise the information from the packet 202,and the repair bits can be used to reconstruct the packet 202 at areceiver in case any of the encoded packets 204, 206, and 208 arecorrupted or otherwise missing at the receiver.

As an example, source packet 202 can be 240 bits long and can betransmitted to a UE that has a 3 way multi-connectivity split bearerestablished with the NR network. Based on these 240 source bits, arateless fountain code is used to generate 240 repair bits. The 240repair bits are combined with 240 source bits to create, for example, 3PDCP packets (e.g., encoded packets 204, 206, and 208) of size 160 bitseach, where each PDCP packet contains 80 source bits and 80 repair bits(e.g., encoded packet 204 comprises 80 source bits in section 210, and80 repair bits in section 212). So, a total of 480 bits are transmittedfor the 240 bit URLLC packet. Based on the properties of the ratelessfountain code, the decoder at the UE PDCP layer can reconstruct thepacket 202 as long as any 320 bits are received successfully. This meansthe UE needs to successfully receive only 2 out of 3 transmitted packetsin order to decode the URLLC packet successfully.

In the above example, since 480 bits are transmitted for a 240 bit URLLCpacket, the overhead to achieve this additional reliability enhancementfor URLLC is (480−240)/240=100%. If we compare this to a traditionalpacket duplication solution where the same URLLC packet is duplicatedand transmitted over the 3 multi-connectivity legs, the total number oftransmitted bits are 240×3=720 bits. So, the overhead for thetraditional packet duplication case is (720−240)/240=200%. This meansthat the proposed solution described in this paper has the potential toprovide the same level of reliability enhancement as a packetduplication solution with about half the bandwidth overhead.

It is to be appreciated that in other embodiments, the size of thepacket 202 can be different, and the size and number of encoded packetscan also be different. In at least one embodiment, the number of encodedpackets (e.g., packets 204, 206, and 208) that are generated due to therateless fountain code can be based on the number of network paths ofthe split bearer, or the number of relay devices that the transmittertransmits the encoded packets through to get to the receiver. In anembodiment, the rateless fountain code can be a Raptor code. In anotherembodiment, the modified PDCP technique of using the rateless fountaincode can be performed on any packet on a bearer that satisfies apredetermined criterion relating to latency and reliability. As anexample, there may be bearers other than URLLC type bearers that requirehigh reliability and/or low latency. These techniques disclosed hereincan also be applied to such bearers.

Turning now to FIG. 3, illustrated is an example block diagram 300showing a multi-connectivity split bearer in a radio access network inaccordance with various aspects and embodiments of the subjectdisclosure.

In the embodiment, the radio access network can be a traditional radioaccess network, or can be a Cloud Radio Access Network where some of theprocessing layers of the radio access network are performed in thecloud, allowing for smaller and more distributed transmitters (e.g.,308, 310, and 312). In other embodiments, the radio access network canhave a functional split, where some of the functions are performed atCentral Unit (CU) 302, and other functions performed at a DistributedUnit (DU) (e.g., 308, 310, and 312). In this architecture, CU and DU canbe defined as follows.

A CU can be a logical node that includes the gNB functions like Transferof user data, Mobility control, Radio access network sharing,Positioning, Session Management etc., except those functions allocatedexclusively to the DU. CU controls the operation of DUs over front-haul(Fs) interface. A central unit (CU) may also be known asBBU/REC/RCC/C-RAN/V-RAN.

A DU can be a logical node that includes a subset of the gNB functions,depending on the functional split option. Its operation is controlled bythe CU. Distributed Unit (DU) also known with other names likeRRH/RRU/RE/RU. In an embodiment, DUs 308, 310, and 312 can be connectedvia a wireline communication or via a wireless communication with the CU302. Also, in an embodiment, DUs 308, 310, and 312 can have some layersof the RAN protocol stack (e.g., Physical Interface, Media AccessController and Radio Link Control) while the Packet Data ConvergenceProtocol (PDCP) layer 306 and the Service Data Adaptation Protocol(SDAP) layer 304 and other layers can be a part of the CU 302.

In an embodiment, the rateless fountain code can be applied to thepackets at the PDCP layer 306 or above the PDCP layer 306 (e.g., at theSDAP 304). After the rateless fountain code is applied to a packet agroup of encoded packets can be formed with each containing a portion ofthe information bits of the original packet. Each respective encodedpacket can be transmitted to the UE 314 via respective relay devices(DUs 308, 310, or 312) at the same time. The UE 314 can receive theencoded packets and use a rateless fountain decoder to decode theencoded packets to reconstruct the original packet. Even if one of thetransmissions from DUs 308, 310 or 312 are corrupted, as long as enoughpackets are received that are at least the same size as the originalpacket, the original packet can be reconstructed.

It is to be appreciated that in other embodiments, there can be more orfewer DU devices. The number of the DU devices can depend themulti-connectivity capacity of the UE 314 or the RAN, as well as thenumber of DU devices within range of the UE 314. In an embodiment, thenumber encoded packets generated by the rateless fountain code can bebased on the number of paths, or DUs available for the split bearertransmission.

In an embodiment, the advantages provided by this technique of ratelessfountain codes and multiconnectivity can significantly increase thereliability of URLLC services compared to earlier releases. Thedisclosed technique can also provide such increase in reliability withmuch less increase in bandwidth need compared to other state-of-the-artsolutions such as packet duplication. Furthermore, this technique isbased on enhancements made to the NR air interface protocol stack, andspecifically at the PDCP layer rather than at the application layer forprior state-of-the-art solutions. Hence, this solution is closer to theRAN air interface, which makes it more suitable for a tight latencysensitive service such as URLLC.

Turning now to FIG. 4, illustrated is an example block diagram 400 of atransmitter's packet data convergence protocol layer 402 in accordancewith various aspects and embodiments of the subject disclosure. Thetransmitter's PDCP layer 402 can be part of a radio access network(e.g., for a downlink communication) or part of a UE's protocol stack(e.g., for an uplink communication).

In an embodiment, the PDCP layer 402 depicted here can be part of a CUor gNB, or C-RAN environment where the PDCP functions are performed.

In an embodiment, when a URLLC bearer is established, an N-way splitbearer connection with modified packet duplication (using the ratelessfountain code technique described herein) is set up between the RAN andthe UE using multiconnectivity. A URLLC packet arrives at thetransmission buffer sequence numbering function 404 as a PDCP servicedata unit (SDU). The PDCP layer 402 processes the PDCP SDU as normal upto the header compression function 406 where the PDCP layer 402recognizes the URLLC SDU packet as belonging to a split bearer soforwards the packet 418 to the modified packet duplication function 408which is executed before the integrity protection 410, ciphering andPDCP header addition function 412. The modified packet duplicationfunction 408 executes the encoder processing for a pre-configuredrateless fountain code to generate N PDCP Protocol Data Units (PDUs)that are generated for transmission corresponding to the N-way splitbearer connection. Integrity protection and ciphering processing can beexecuted for the N PDCP PDUs at the Integrity Protection function 410,and then PDCP header function 412 can add identical PDCP headers to eachof the N PDCP PDUs since this is a split bearer with packet duplication.The N PDCP PDUs are transmitted via N network routes to the UE by therouting function 414.

The PDCP layer 402 can recognize the packets that are associated withthe URLLC bearer (e.g., 418) and forward those to the modified packetduplication function 408 while other packets (e.g., 416) are forwardedto the PDCP header function 412.

Turning now to FIG. 5, illustrated is an example block diagram 500 of areceiver's packet data convergence protocol layer 502 in accordance withvarious aspects and embodiments of the subject disclosure.

At the receiving PDCP layer (e.g., for a downlink communication to a UE,or for an uplink transmission to a network). The encoded packets can bereceived at the PDCP Header removal function 504 where the headers areremoved, and then deciphering layer 506 and integrity verification layer508 can decipher and verify the packets.

After successfully passing deciphering and integrity verification, atthe reception buffer stage 510, the function that performs duplicatediscarding recognizes that this is a URLLC bearer, so rather thanexecuting the normal duplicate discarding function, it gathers all thereceived ‘duplicate’ packets received from lower RLC layers, it executesthe decoder for the pre-configured rateless fountain code. This modifiedduplicate discarding function needs to successfully receive only N-M ofthe transmitted PDCP packets to be able to successfully decode the PDCPPDU corresponding to the URLLC packet. As long as there are at least asmany bits in the successfully verified packets as there are in theoriginal packet, the preconfigured rateless fountain code will besuccessful in decoding the encoded packets. Then the reception bufferreordering function can pass the PDCP PDU 516 to the headerdecompression function 512.

After successful decoding of the received PDCP PDU, it is stored in thePDCP reception buffer according to its sequence number (this is normalPDCP processing). The PDCP header removal function 504 can pass the nonURLLC related packets 514 to the header decompression function 512.

FIGS. 6-7 illustrates a process in connection with the aforementionedsystems. The processes in FIGS. 6-7 can be implemented for example bythe systems in FIGS. 1-5 respectively. While for purposes of simplicityof explanation, the methods are shown and described as a series ofblocks, it is to be understood and appreciated that the claimed subjectmatter is not limited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks mayoccur in different orders and/or concurrently with other blocks fromwhat is depicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustratedblocks may be required to implement the methods described hereinafter.

FIG. 6 illustrates example method 600 for using rateless fountain codesto transmit a packet in accordance with various aspects and embodimentsof the subject disclosure.

Method 600 can begin at 602 where the method includes determining, by aradio access network device comprising a processor, that a packet isassociated with a radio access bearer satisfying a defined criterionrelating to latency and reliability of the radio access bearer, whereinthe radio access network device is part of a radio access network.

At 604, the method includes encoding, by the radio access networkdevice, the packet with a rateless fountain code resulting in a group ofencoded packets.

At 606, the method includes transmitting, by the radio access networkdevice, the group of encoded packets to a user equipment device via asplit bearer associated with a group of network paths of the radioaccess network.

FIG. 7 illustrates example method 700 for using rateless fountain codesto receive a packet in accordance with various aspects and embodimentsof the subject disclosure.

Method 700 can begin at 702 wherein the method includes receivingencoded packets associated with a split bearer, wherein the encodedpackets are received from respective relay devices.

At 704, the method can include verifying an integrity of the encodedpackets.

At 706, the method can include determining that the encoded packets areassociated with a radio access bearer satisfying a defined criterionrelating to latency and reliability.

At 708, the method can include decoding the encoded packets using arateless fountain code, resulting in a decoded packet

Referring now to FIG. 8, illustrated is a schematic block diagram of anexample end-user device such as a user equipment) that can be a mobiledevice 800 capable of connecting to a network in accordance with someembodiments described herein. Although a mobile handset 800 isillustrated herein, it will be understood that other devices can be amobile device, and that the mobile handset 800 is merely illustrated toprovide context for the embodiments of the various embodiments describedherein. The following discussion is intended to provide a brief, generaldescription of an example of a suitable environment 800 in which thevarious embodiments can be implemented. While the description includes ageneral context of computer-executable instructions embodied on amachine-readable storage medium, those skilled in the art will recognizethat the various embodiments also can be implemented in combination withother program modules and/or as a combination of hardware and software.

Generally, applications (e.g., program modules) can include routines,programs, components, data structures, etc., that perform particulartasks or implement particular abstract data types. Moreover, thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that the methods described herein canbe practiced with other system configurations, includingsingle-processor or multiprocessor systems, minicomputers, mainframecomputers, as well as personal computers, hand-held computing devices,microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, and the like,each of which can be operatively coupled to one or more associateddevices.

A computing device can typically include a variety of machine-readablemedia. Machine-readable media can be any available media that can beaccessed by the computer and includes both volatile and non-volatilemedia, removable and non-removable media. By way of example and notlimitation, computer-readable media can comprise computer storage mediaand communication media. Computer storage media can include volatileand/or non-volatile media, removable and/or non-removable mediaimplemented in any method or technology for storage of information, suchas computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules orother data. Computer storage media can include, but is not limited to,RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD ROM,digital video disk (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magneticcassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magneticstorage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store thedesired information and which can be accessed by the computer.

Communication media typically embodies computer-readable instructions,data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated datasignal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism, and includesany information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means asignal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed insuch a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example,and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as awired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such asacoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media. Combinations of the anyof the above may also be included within the scope of computer-readablemedia.

The handset 800 includes a processor 802 for controlling and processingall onboard operations and functions. A memory 804 interfaces to theprocessor 802 for storage of data and one or more applications 806(e.g., a video player software, user feedback component software, etc.).Other applications can include voice recognition of predetermined voicecommands that facilitate initiation of the user feedback signals. Theapplications 806 can be stored in the memory 804 and/or in a firmware808, and executed by the processor 802 from either or both the memory804 or/and the firmware 808. The firmware 808 can also store startupcode for execution in initializing the handset 800. A communicationscomponent 810 interfaces to the processor 802 to facilitatewired/wireless communication with external systems, e.g., cellularnetworks, VoIP networks, and so on. Here, the communications component810 can also include a suitable cellular transceiver 811 (e.g., a GSMtransceiver) and/or an unlicensed transceiver 813 (e.g., Wi-Fi, WiMax)for corresponding signal communications. The handset 800 can be a devicesuch as a cellular telephone, a PDA with mobile communicationscapabilities, and messaging-centric devices. The communicationscomponent 810 also facilitates communications reception from terrestrialradio networks (e.g., broadcast), digital satellite radio networks, andInternet-based radio services networks.

The handset 800 includes a display 812 for displaying text, images,video, telephony functions (e.g., a Caller ID function), setupfunctions, and for user input. For example, the display 812 can also bereferred to as a “screen” that can accommodate the presentation ofmultimedia content (e.g., music metadata, messages, wallpaper, graphics,etc.). The display 812 can also display videos and can facilitate thegeneration, editing and sharing of video quotes. A serial I/O interface814 is provided in communication with the processor 802 to facilitatewired and/or wireless serial communications (e.g., USB, and/or IEEE1394) through a hardwire connection, and other serial input devices(e.g., a keyboard, keypad, and mouse). This supports updating andtroubleshooting the handset 800, for example. Audio capabilities areprovided with an audio I/O component 816, which can include a speakerfor the output of audio signals related to, for example, indication thatthe user pressed the proper key or key combination to initiate the userfeedback signal. The audio I/O component 816 also facilitates the inputof audio signals through a microphone to record data and/or telephonyvoice data, and for inputting voice signals for telephone conversations.

The handset 800 can include a slot interface 818 for accommodating a SIC(Subscriber Identity Component) in the form factor of a card SubscriberIdentity Module (SIM) or universal SIM 820, and interfacing the SIM card820 with the processor 802. However, it is to be appreciated that theSIM card 820 can be manufactured into the handset 800, and updated bydownloading data and software.

The handset 800 can process IP data traffic through the communicationcomponent 810 to accommodate IP traffic from an IP network such as, forexample, the Internet, a corporate intranet, a home network, a personarea network, etc., through an ISP or broadband cable provider. Thus,VoIP traffic can be utilized by the handset 800 and IP-based multimediacontent can be received in either an encoded or decoded format.

A video processing component 822 (e.g., a camera) can be provided fordecoding encoded multimedia content. The video processing component 822can aid in facilitating the generation, editing and sharing of videoquotes. The handset 800 also includes a power source 824 in the form ofbatteries and/or an AC power subsystem, which power source 824 caninterface to an external power system or charging equipment (not shown)by a power I/O component 826.

The handset 800 can also include a video component 830 for processingvideo content received and, for recording and transmitting videocontent. For example, the video component 830 can facilitate thegeneration, editing and sharing of video quotes. A location trackingcomponent 832 facilitates geographically locating the handset 800. Asdescribed hereinabove, this can occur when the user initiates thefeedback signal automatically or manually. A user input component 834facilitates the user initiating the quality feedback signal. The userinput component 834 can also facilitate the generation, editing andsharing of video quotes. The user input component 834 can include suchconventional input device technologies such as a keypad, keyboard,mouse, stylus pen, and/or touch screen, for example.

Referring again to the applications 806, a hysteresis component 836facilitates the analysis and processing of hysteresis data, which isutilized to determine when to associate with the access point. Asoftware trigger component 838 can be provided that facilitatestriggering of the hysteresis component 838 when the Wi-Fi transceiver813 detects the beacon of the access point. A SIP client 840 enables thehandset 800 to support SIP protocols and register the subscriber withthe SIP registrar server. The applications 806 can also include a client842 that provides at least the capability of discovery, play and storeof multimedia content, for example, music.

The handset 800 can include an indoor network radio transceiver 813(e.g., Wi-Fi transceiver). This function supports the indoor radio link,such as IEEE 802.11, for the dual-mode GSM handset 1500. The handset 800can accommodate at least satellite radio services through a handset thatcan combine wireless voice and digital radio chipsets into a singlehandheld device.

FIG. 9 presents an example embodiment 900 of a mobile network platform910 that can implement and exploit one or more aspects of the disclosedsubject matter described herein. Generally, wireless network platform910 can include components, e.g., nodes, gateways, interfaces, servers,or disparate platforms, that facilitate both packet-switched (PS) (e.g.,internet protocol (IP), frame relay, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM)and circuit-switched (CS) traffic (e.g., voice and data), as well ascontrol generation for networked wireless telecommunication. As anon-limiting example, wireless network platform 910 can be included intelecommunications carrier networks, and can be considered carrier-sidecomponents as discussed elsewhere herein. Mobile network platform 910includes CS gateway node(s) 912 which can interface CS traffic receivedfrom legacy networks like telephony network(s) 940 (e.g., publicswitched telephone network (PSTN), or public land mobile network (PLMN))or a signaling system #7 (SS7) network 960. Circuit switched gatewaynode(s) 912 can authorize and authenticate traffic (e.g., voice) arisingfrom such networks. Additionally, CS gateway node(s) 912 can accessmobility, or roaming, data generated through SS7 network 960; forinstance, mobility data stored in a visited location register (VLR),which can reside in memory 930. Moreover, CS gateway node(s) 912interfaces CS-based traffic and signaling and PS gateway node(s) 918. Asan example, in a 3GPP UMTS network, CS gateway node(s) 912 can berealized at least in part in gateway GPRS support node(s) (GGSN). Itshould be appreciated that functionality and specific operation of CSgateway node(s) 912, PS gateway node(s) 918, and serving node(s) 916, isprovided and dictated by radio technology(ies) utilized by mobilenetwork platform 910 for telecommunication. Mobile network platform 910can also include the MMEs, HSS/PCRFs, SGWs, and PGWs disclosed herein.

In addition to receiving and processing CS-switched traffic andsignaling, PS gateway node(s) 918 can authorize and authenticatePS-based data sessions with served mobile devices. Data sessions caninclude traffic, or content(s), exchanged with networks external to thewireless network platform 910, like wide area network(s) (WANs) 950,enterprise network(s) 970, and service network(s) 980, which can beembodied in local area network(s) (LANs), can also be interfaced withmobile network platform 910 through PS gateway node(s) 918. It is to benoted that WANs 950 and enterprise network(s) 970 can embody, at leastin part, a service network(s) like IP multimedia subsystem (IMS). Basedon radio technology layer(s) available in technology resource(s) 917,packet-switched gateway node(s) 918 can generate packet data protocolcontexts when a data session is established; other data structures thatfacilitate routing of packetized data also can be generated. To thatend, in an aspect, PS gateway node(s) 918 can include a tunnel interface(e.g., tunnel termination gateway (TTG) in 3GPP UMTS network(s) (notshown)) which can facilitate packetized communication with disparatewireless network(s), such as Wi-Fi networks.

In embodiment 900, wireless network platform 910 also includes servingnode(s) 916 that, based upon available radio technology layer(s) withintechnology resource(s) 917, convey the various packetized flows of datastreams received through PS gateway node(s) 918. It is to be noted thatfor technology resource(s) 917 that rely primarily on CS communication,server node(s) can deliver traffic without reliance on PS gatewaynode(s) 918; for example, server node(s) can embody at least in part amobile switching center. As an example, in a 3GPP UMTS network, servingnode(s) 916 can be embodied in serving GPRS support node(s) (SGSN).

For radio technologies that exploit packetized communication, server(s)914 in wireless network platform 910 can execute numerous applicationsthat can generate multiple disparate packetized data streams or flows,and manage (e.g., schedule, queue, format . . . ) such flows. Suchapplication(s) can include add-on features to standard services (forexample, provisioning, billing, customer support . . . ) provided bywireless network platform 910. Data streams (e.g., content(s) that arepart of a voice call or data session) can be conveyed to PS gatewaynode(s) 918 for authorization/authentication and initiation of a datasession, and to serving node(s) 916 for communication thereafter. Inaddition to application server, server(s) 914 can include utilityserver(s), a utility server can include a provisioning server, anoperations and maintenance server, a security server that can implementat least in part a certificate authority and firewalls as well as othersecurity mechanisms, and the like. In an aspect, security server(s)secure communication served through wireless network platform 910 toensure network's operation and data integrity in addition toauthorization and authentication procedures that CS gateway node(s) 912and PS gateway node(s) 918 can enact. Moreover, provisioning server(s)can provision services from external network(s) like networks operatedby a disparate service provider; for instance, WAN 950 or GlobalPositioning System (GPS) network(s) (not shown). Provisioning server(s)can also provision coverage through networks associated to wirelessnetwork platform 910 (e.g., deployed and operated by the same serviceprovider), such as femto-cell network(s) (not shown) that enhancewireless service coverage within indoor confined spaces and offload RANresources in order to enhance subscriber service experience within ahome or business environment by way of UE 975.

It is to be noted that server(s) 914 can include one or more processorsconfigured to confer at least in part the functionality of macro networkplatform 910. To that end, the one or more processor can execute codeinstructions stored in memory 930, for example. It is should beappreciated that server(s) 914 can include a content manager 915, whichoperates in substantially the same manner as described hereinbefore.

In example embodiment 900, memory 930 can store information related tooperation of wireless network platform 910. Other operationalinformation can include provisioning information of mobile devicesserved through wireless platform network 910, subscriber databases;application intelligence, pricing schemes, e.g., promotional rates,flat-rate programs, couponing campaigns; technical specification(s)consistent with telecommunication protocols for operation of disparateradio, or wireless, technology layers; and so forth. Memory 930 can alsostore information from at least one of telephony network(s) 940, WAN950, enterprise network(s) 970, or SS7 network 960. In an aspect, memory930 can be, for example, accessed as part of a data store component oras a remotely connected memory store.

Referring now to FIG. 10, there is illustrated a block diagram of acomputer 1000 operable to execute the functions and operations performedin the described example embodiments. For example, a network node (e.g.,network node 106, CU 302, DU 308, 310, or 312 e.g.,) or UE 102, 104, or314, etc., may contain components as described in FIG. 10. The computer1000 can provide networking and communication capabilities between awired or wireless communication network and a server and/orcommunication device. In order to provide additional context for variousaspects thereof, FIG.10 and the following discussion are intended toprovide a brief, general description of a suitable computing environmentin which the various aspects of the embodiments can be implemented tofacilitate the establishment of a transaction between an entity and athird party. While the description above is in the general context ofcomputer-executable instructions that can run on one or more computers,those skilled in the art will recognize that the various embodimentsalso can be implemented in combination with other program modules and/oras a combination of hardware and software.

Generally, program modules include routines, programs, components, datastructures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particularabstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the inventive methods can be practiced with other computer systemconfigurations, including single-processor or multiprocessor computersystems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, as well as personalcomputers, hand-held computing devices, microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer electronics, and the like, each of which can beoperatively coupled to one or more associated devices.

The illustrated aspects of the various embodiments can also be practicedin distributed computing environments where certain tasks are performedby remote processing devices that are linked through a communicationsnetwork. In a distributed computing environment, program modules can belocated in both local and remote memory storage devices.

Computing devices typically include a variety of media, which caninclude computer-readable storage media or communications media, whichtwo terms are used herein differently from one another as follows.

Computer-readable storage media can be any available storage media thatcan be accessed by the computer and includes both volatile andnonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example,and not limitation, computer-readable storage media can be implementedin connection with any method or technology for storage of informationsuch as computer-readable instructions, program modules, structureddata, or unstructured data. Computer-readable storage media can include,but are not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memorytechnology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disk (DVD) or other optical diskstorage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage orother magnetic storage devices, or other tangible and/or non-transitorymedia which can be used to store desired information. Computer-readablestorage media can be accessed by one or more local or remote computingdevices, e.g., via access requests, queries or other data retrievalprotocols, for a variety of operations with respect to the informationstored by the medium.

Communications media can embody computer-readable instructions, datastructures, program modules or other structured or unstructured data ina data signal such as a modulated data signal, e.g., a carrier wave orother transport mechanism, and includes any information delivery ortransport media. The term “modulated data signal” or signals refers to asignal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed insuch a manner as to encode information in one or more signals. By way ofexample, and not limitation, communication media include wired media,such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless mediasuch as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media.

Referring now to FIG. 10, there is illustrated a block diagram of acomputer 1000 operable to execute the functions and operations performedin the described example embodiments. For example, a network node (e.g.,network node 106, CU 302, e.g.,) may contain components as described inFIG. 10. The computer 1000 can provide networking and communicationcapabilities between a wired or wireless communication network and aserver and/or communication device. In order to provide additionalcontext for various aspects thereof, FIG. 10 and the followingdiscussion are intended to provide a brief, general description of asuitable computing environment in which the various aspects of theembodiments can be implemented to facilitate the establishment of atransaction between an entity and a third party. While the descriptionabove is in the general context of computer-executable instructions thatcan run on one or more computers, those skilled in the art willrecognize that the various embodiments also can be implemented incombination with other program modules and/or as a combination ofhardware and software.

Generally, program modules include routines, programs, components, datastructures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particularabstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the inventive methods can be practiced with other computer systemconfigurations, including single-processor or multiprocessor computersystems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, as well as personalcomputers, hand-held computing devices, microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer electronics, and the like, each of which can beoperatively coupled to one or more associated devices.

The illustrated aspects of the various embodiments can also be practicedin distributed computing environments where certain tasks are performedby remote processing devices that are linked through a communicationsnetwork. In a distributed computing environment, program modules can belocated in both local and remote memory storage devices.

Computing devices typically include a variety of media, which caninclude computer-readable storage media or communications media, whichtwo terms are used herein differently from one another as follows.

Computer-readable storage media can be any available storage media thatcan be accessed by the computer and includes both volatile andnonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example,and not limitation, computer-readable storage media can be implementedin connection with any method or technology for storage of informationsuch as computer-readable instructions, program modules, structureddata, or unstructured data. Computer-readable storage media can include,but are not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memorytechnology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disk (DVD) or other optical diskstorage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage orother magnetic storage devices, or other tangible and/or non-transitorymedia which can be used to store desired information. Computer-readablestorage media can be accessed by one or more local or remote computingdevices, e.g., via access requests, queries or other data retrievalprotocols, for a variety of operations with respect to the informationstored by the medium.

Communications media can embody computer-readable instructions, datastructures, program modules or other structured or unstructured data ina data signal such as a modulated data signal, e.g., a carrier wave orother transport mechanism, and includes any information delivery ortransport media. The term “modulated data signal” or signals refers to asignal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed insuch a manner as to encode information in one or more signals. By way ofexample, and not limitation, communication media include wired media,such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless mediasuch as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media.

With reference to FIG. 10, implementing various aspects described hereinwith regards to the end-user device can include a computer 1000, thecomputer 1000 including a processing unit 1004, a system memory 1006 anda system bus 1008. The system bus 1008 couples system componentsincluding, but not limited to, the system memory 1006 to the processingunit 1004. The processing unit 1004 can be any of various commerciallyavailable processors. Dual microprocessors and other multi-processorarchitectures can also be employed as the processing unit 1004.

The system bus 1008 can be any of several types of bus structure thatcan further interconnect to a memory bus (with or without a memorycontroller), a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety ofcommercially available bus architectures. The system memory 1006includes read-only memory (ROM) 1027 and random access memory (RAM)1012. A basic input/output system (BIOS) is stored in a non-volatilememory 1027 such as ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, which BIOS contains the basicroutines that help to transfer information between elements within thecomputer 1000, such as during start-up. The RAM 1012 can also include ahigh-speed RAM such as static RAM for caching data.

The computer 1000 further includes an internal hard disk drive (HDD)1014 (e.g., EIDE, SATA), which internal hard disk drive 1014 can also beconfigured for external use in a suitable chassis (not shown), amagnetic floppy disk drive (FDD) 1016, (e.g., to read from or write to aremovable diskette 1018) and an optical disk drive 1020, (e.g., readinga CD-ROM disk 1022 or, to read from or write to other high capacityoptical media such as the DVD). The hard disk drive 1014, magnetic diskdrive 1016 and optical disk drive 1020 can be connected to the systembus 1008 by a hard disk drive interface 1024, a magnetic disk driveinterface 1026 and an optical drive interface 1028, respectively. Theinterface 1024 for external drive implementations includes at least oneor both of Universal Serial Bus (USB) and IEEE 1394 interfacetechnologies. Other external drive connection technologies are withincontemplation of the subject embodiments.

The drives and their associated computer-readable media providenonvolatile storage of data, data structures, computer-executableinstructions, and so forth. For the computer 1000 the drives and mediaaccommodate the storage of any data in a suitable digital format.Although the description of computer-readable media above refers to aHDD, a removable magnetic diskette, and a removable optical media suchas a CD or DVD, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the artthat other types of media which are readable by a computer 1000, such aszip drives, magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, cartridges, and thelike, can also be used in the example operating environment, andfurther, that any such media can contain computer-executableinstructions for performing the methods of the disclosed embodiments.

A number of program modules can be stored in the drives and RAM 1012,including an operating system 1030, one or more application programs1032, other program modules 1034 and program data 1036. All or portionsof the operating system, applications, modules, and/or data can also becached in the RAM 1012. It is to be appreciated that the variousembodiments can be implemented with various commercially availableoperating systems or combinations of operating systems.

A user can enter commands and information into the computer 1000 throughone or more wired/wireless input devices, e.g., a keyboard 1038 and apointing device, such as a mouse 1040. Other input devices (not shown)may include a microphone, an IR remote control, a joystick, a game pad,a stylus pen, touch screen, or the like. These and other input devicesare often connected to the processing unit 1004 through an input deviceinterface 1042 that is coupled to the system bus 1008, but can beconnected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, an IEEE 1394serial port, a game port, a USB port, an IR interface, etc.

A monitor 1044 or other type of display device is also connected to thesystem bus 1008 through an interface, such as a video adapter 1046. Inaddition to the monitor 1044, a computer 1000 typically includes otherperipheral output devices (not shown), such as speakers, printers, etc.

The computer 1000 can operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections by wired and/or wireless communications to one or moreremote computers, such as a remote computer(s) 1048. The remotecomputer(s) 1048 can be a workstation, a server computer, a router, apersonal computer, portable computer, microprocessor-based entertainmentdevice, a peer device or other common network node, and typicallyincludes many or all of the elements described relative to the computer,although, for purposes of brevity, only a memory/storage device 1050 isillustrated. The logical connections depicted include wired/wirelessconnectivity to a local area network (LAN) 1052 and/or larger networks,e.g., a wide area network (WAN) 1054. Such LAN and WAN networkingenvironments are commonplace in offices and companies, and facilitateenterprise-wide computer networks, such as intranets, all of which mayconnect to a global communications network, e.g., the Internet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 1000 isconnected to the local network 1052 through a wired and/or wirelesscommunication network interface or adapter 1056. The adapter 1056 mayfacilitate wired or wireless communication to the LAN 1052, which mayalso include a wireless access point disposed thereon for communicatingwith the wireless adapter 1056.

When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 1000 can includea modem 1058, or is connected to a communications server on the WAN1054, or has other means for establishing communications over the WAN1054, such as by way of the Internet. The modem 1058, which can beinternal or external and a wired or wireless device, is connected to thesystem bus 1008 through the input device interface 1042. In a networkedenvironment, program modules depicted relative to the computer, orportions thereof, can be stored in the remote memory/storage device1050. It will be appreciated that the network connections shown areexemplary and other means of establishing a communications link betweenthe computers can be used.

The computer is operable to communicate with any wireless devices orentities operatively disposed in wireless communication, e.g., aprinter, scanner, desktop and/or portable computer, portable dataassistant, communications satellite, any piece of equipment or locationassociated with a wirelessly detectable tag (e.g., a kiosk, news stand,restroom), and telephone. This includes at least Wi-Fi and Bluetooth™wireless technologies. Thus, the communication can be a predefinedstructure as with a conventional network or simply an ad hoccommunication between at least two devices.

Wi-Fi, or Wireless Fidelity, allows connection to the Internet from acouch at home, a bed in a hotel room, or a conference room at work,without wires. Wi-Fi is a wireless technology similar to that used in acell phone that enables such devices, e.g., computers, to send andreceive data indoors and out; anywhere within the range of a basestation. Wi-Fi networks use radio technologies called IEEE802.11 (a, b,g, n, etc.) to provide secure, reliable, fast wireless connectivity. AWi-Fi network can be used to connect computers to each other, to theInternet, and to wired networks (which use IEEE802.3 or Ethernet). Wi-Finetworks operate in the unlicensed 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands, at an 11Mbps (802.11b) or 54 Mbps (802.11a) data rate, for example, or withproducts that contain both bands (dual band), so the networks canprovide real-world performance similar to the basic “10 BaseT” wiredEthernet networks used in many offices.

As used in this application, the terms “system,” “component,”“interface,” and the like are generally intended to refer to acomputer-related entity or an entity related to an operational machinewith one or more specific functionalities. The entities disclosed hereincan be either hardware, a combination of hardware and software,software, or software in execution. For example, a component may be, butis not limited to being, a process running on a processor, a processor,an object, an executable, a thread of execution, a program, and/or acomputer. By way of illustration, both an application running on aserver and the server can be a component. One or more components mayreside within a process and/or thread of execution and a component maybe localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or morecomputers. These components also can execute from various computerreadable storage media having various data structures stored thereon.The components may communicate via local and/or remote processes such asin accordance with a signal having one or more data packets (e.g., datafrom one component interacting with another component in a local system,distributed system, and/or across a network such as the Internet withother systems via the signal). As another example, a component can be anapparatus with specific functionality provided by mechanical partsoperated by electric or electronic circuitry that is operated bysoftware or firmware application(s) executed by a processor, wherein theprocessor can be internal or external to the apparatus and executes atleast a part of the software or firmware application. As yet anotherexample, a component can be an apparatus that provides specificfunctionality through electronic components without mechanical parts,the electronic components can comprise a processor therein to executesoftware or firmware that confers at least in part the functionality ofthe electronic components. An interface can comprise input/output (I/O)components as well as associated processor, application, and/or APIcomponents.

Furthermore, the disclosed subject matter may be implemented as amethod, apparatus, or article of manufacture using standard programmingand/or engineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware,or any combination thereof to control a computer to implement thedisclosed subject matter. The term “article of manufacture” as usedherein is intended to encompass a computer program accessible from anycomputer-readable device, computer-readable carrier, orcomputer-readable media. For example, computer-readable media caninclude, but are not limited to, a magnetic storage device, e.g., harddisk; floppy disk; magnetic strip(s); an optical disk (e.g., compactdisk (CD), a digital video disc (DVD), a Blu-ray Disc™ (BD)); a smartcard; a flash memory device (e.g., card, stick, key drive); and/or avirtual device that emulates a storage device and/or any of the abovecomputer-readable media.

As it employed in the subject specification, the term “processor” canrefer to substantially any computing processing unit or devicecomprising, but not limited to comprising, single-core processors;single-processors with software multithread execution capability;multi-core processors; multi-core processors with software multithreadexecution capability; multi-core processors with hardware multithreadtechnology; parallel platforms; and parallel platforms with distributedshared memory. Additionally, a processor can refer to an integratedcircuit, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digitalsignal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), aprogrammable logic controller (PLC), a complex programmable logic device(CPLD), a discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardwarecomponents, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functionsdescribed herein. Processors can exploit nano-scale architectures suchas, but not limited to, molecular and quantum-dot based transistors,switches and gates, in order to optimize space usage or enhanceperformance of user equipment. A processor also can be implemented as acombination of computing processing units.

In the subject specification, terms such as “store,” “data store,” “datastorage,” “database,” “repository,” “queue”, and substantially any otherinformation storage component relevant to operation and functionality ofa component, refer to “memory components,” or entities embodied in a“memory” or components comprising the memory. It will be appreciatedthat the memory components described herein can be either volatilememory or nonvolatile memory, or can comprise both volatile andnonvolatile memory. In addition, memory components or memory elementscan be removable or stationary. Moreover, memory can be internal orexternal to a device or component, or removable or stationary. Memorycan comprise various types of media that are readable by a computer,such as hard-disc drives, zip drives, magnetic cassettes, flash memorycards or other types of memory cards, cartridges, or the like.

By way of illustration, and not limitation, nonvolatile memory cancomprise read only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), electricallyprogrammable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable ROM (EEPROM), or flashmemory. Volatile memory can comprise random access memory (RAM), whichacts as external cache memory. By way of illustration and notlimitation, RAM is available in many forms such as synchronous RAM(SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rateSDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), anddirect Rambus RAM (DRRAM). Additionally, the disclosed memory componentsof systems or methods herein are intended to comprise, without beinglimited to comprising, these and any other suitable types of memory.

In particular and in regard to the various functions performed by theabove described components, devices, circuits, systems and the like, theterms (including a reference to a “means”) used to describe suchcomponents are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, toany component which performs the specified function of the describedcomponent (e.g., a functional equivalent), even though not structurallyequivalent to the disclosed structure, which performs the function inthe herein illustrated example aspects of the embodiments. In thisregard, it will also be recognized that the embodiments comprise asystem as well as a computer-readable medium having computer-executableinstructions for performing the acts and/or events of the variousmethods.

Computing devices typically comprise a variety of media, which cancomprise computer-readable storage media and/or communications media,which two terms are used herein differently from one another as follows.Computer-readable storage media can be any available storage media thatcan be accessed by the computer and comprises both volatile andnonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example,and not limitation, computer-readable storage media can be implementedin connection with any method or technology for storage of informationsuch as computer-readable instructions, program modules, structureddata, or unstructured data.

Computer-readable storage media can include, but are not limited to,random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), electricallyerasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or othermemory technology, solid state drive (SSD) or other solid-state storagetechnology, compact disk read only memory (CD ROM), digital versatiledisk (DVD), Blu-ray disc or other optical disk storage, magneticcassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magneticstorage devices or other tangible and/or non-transitory media which canbe used to store desired information.

In this regard, the terms “tangible” or “non-transitory” herein asapplied to storage, memory or computer-readable media, are to beunderstood to exclude only propagating transitory signals per se asmodifiers and do not relinquish rights to all standard storage, memoryor computer-readable media that are not only propagating transitorysignals per se. Computer-readable storage media can be accessed by oneor more local or remote computing devices, e.g., via access requests,queries or other data retrieval protocols, for a variety of operationswith respect to the information stored by the medium.

On the other hand, communications media typically embodycomputer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules orother structured or unstructured data in a data signal such as amodulated data signal, e.g., a carrier wave or other transportmechanism, and comprises any information delivery or transport media.The term “modulated data signal” or signals refers to a signal that hasone or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as toencode information in one or more signals. By way of example, and notlimitation, communications media comprise wired media, such as a wirednetwork or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic,RF, infrared and other wireless media

Further, terms like “user equipment,” “user device,” “mobile device,”“mobile,” station,” “access terminal,” “terminal,” “handset,” andsimilar terminology, generally refer to a wireless device utilized by asubscriber or user of a wireless communication network or service toreceive or convey data, control, voice, video, sound, gaming, orsubstantially any data-stream or signaling-stream. The foregoing termsare utilized interchangeably in the subject specification and relateddrawings. Likewise, the terms “access point,” “node B,” “base station,”“evolved Node B,” “cell,” “cell site,” and the like, can be utilizedinterchangeably in the subject application, and refer to a wirelessnetwork component or appliance that serves and receives data, control,voice, video, sound, gaming, or substantially any data-stream orsignaling-stream from a set of subscriber stations. Data and signalingstreams can be packetized or frame-based flows. It is noted that in thesubject specification and drawings, context or explicit distinctionprovides differentiation with respect to access points or base stationsthat serve and receive data from a mobile device in an outdoorenvironment, and access points or base stations that operate in aconfined, primarily indoor environment overlaid in an outdoor coveragearea. Data and signaling streams can be packetized or frame-based flows.

Furthermore, the terms “user,” “subscriber,” “customer,” “consumer,” andthe like are employed interchangeably throughout the subjectspecification, unless context warrants particular distinction(s) amongthe terms. It should be appreciated that such terms can refer to humanentities, associated devices, or automated components supported throughartificial intelligence (e.g., a capacity to make inference based oncomplex mathematical formalisms) which can provide simulated vision,sound recognition and so forth. In addition, the terms “wirelessnetwork” and “network” are used interchangeable in the subjectapplication, when context wherein the term is utilized warrantsdistinction for clarity purposes such distinction is made explicit.

Moreover, the word “exemplary” is used herein to mean serving as anexample, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design describedherein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred oradvantageous over other aspects or designs. Rather, use of the wordexemplary is intended to present concepts in a concrete fashion. As usedin this application, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or”rather than an exclusive “or”. That is, unless specified otherwise, orclear from context, “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of thenatural inclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; orX employs both A and B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under anyof the foregoing instances. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” asused in this application and the appended claims should generally beconstrued to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear fromcontext to be directed to a singular form.

In addition, while a particular feature may have been disclosed withrespect to only one of several implementations, such feature may becombined with one or more other features of the other implementations asmay be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application.Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “includes” and “including” andvariants thereof are used in either the detailed description or theclaims, these terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar tothe term “comprising.”

The above descriptions of various embodiments of the subject disclosureand corresponding figures and what is described in the Abstract, aredescribed herein for illustrative purposes, and are not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the disclosed embodiments to the precise formsdisclosed. It is to be understood that one of ordinary skill in the artmay recognize that other embodiments having modifications, permutations,combinations, and additions can be implemented for performing the same,similar, alternative, or substitute functions of the disclosed subjectmatter, and are therefore considered within the scope of thisdisclosure. Therefore, the disclosed subject matter should not belimited to any single embodiment described herein, but rather should beconstrued in breadth and scope in accordance with the claims below.

1. A transceiver device, comprising: a processor; and a memory thatstores executable instructions that, when executed by the processor,facilitate performance of operations, comprising: receiving a packet ata protocol stack of a radio access network; in response to determiningthat the packet is associated with a predefined radio access bearer,encoding the packet with a rateless fountain code, resulting in a firstgroup of encoded packets, wherein the encoding the packet with therateless fountain code facilitates reconstructing the packet from asecond group of encoded packets, and wherein a first number of bitsassociated with the second group of encoded packets is at least equal toa second number of bits associated with the packet; and transmitting thefirst group of encoded packets to a receiver device via a group of relaydevices.
 2. The transceiver device of claim 1, wherein the operationsfurther comprise: transmitting each encoded packet of the first group ofencoded packets to respective relay devices of the group of relaydevices.
 3. The transceiver device of claim 1, wherein the encoding thepacket using the rateless fountain code further facilitatesreconstructing the packet from the first group of encoded packets whenan encoded packet of the first group of encoded packets is missing. 4.(canceled)
 5. The transceiver device of claim 1, wherein the predefinedradio access bearer is a radio access bearer that satisfies a criterionwith regard to latency and reliability of the radio access bearer. 6.The transceiver device of claim 1, wherein the operations furthercomprise: encoding the packet using the rateless fountain code at apacket data convergence protocol layer of the protocol stack of theradio access network.
 7. The transceiver device of claim 1, wherein theoperations further comprise: encoding the packet using the ratelessfountain code before a packet data convergence protocol layer of theprotocol stack.
 8. The transceiver device of claim 1, wherein thetransceiver device is a base station device and the receiver device is auser equipment device.
 9. The transceiver device of claim 1, wherein thetransceiver device is a user equipment device and the receiver device isa base station device.
 10. The transceiver device of claim 1, whereinthe operations further comprise: attaching identical headers to eachencoded packet of the first group of encoded packets.
 11. Thetransceiver device of claim 1, wherein the encoding the packet with therateless fountain code further comprises: splitting the packet into anumber of encoded packets, wherein the number of encoded packets isbased on a number of relay devices of the group of relay devices.
 12. Amethod, comprising: determining, by a radio access network devicecomprising a processor, that a packet is associated with a radio accessbearer satisfying a defined criterion relating to latency andreliability of the radio access bearer, wherein the radio access networkdevice is part of a radio access network; encoding, by the radio accessnetwork device, the packet with a rateless fountain code resulting in afirst group of encoded packets, wherein the encoding the packet with therateless fountain code facilitates reconstructing the packet from asecond group of encoded packets, and wherein a first number of bitsassociated with the second group of encoded packets is at least equal toa second number of bits associated with the packet; and transmitting, bythe radio access network device, the first group of encoded packets to auser equipment device via a split bearer associated with a group ofnetwork paths of the radio access network.
 13. The method of claim 12,wherein the transmitting further comprises: transmitting respectiveencoded packets of the first group of encoded packets to respectiverelay devices.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the radio accessbearer conforms to an ultra-reliable low latency communication protocol.15. The method of claim 12, wherein the encoding further comprises:encoding the packet at a packet data convergence protocol layer of aprotocol stack of the radio access network.
 16. The method of claim 12,further comprising: attaching, by the radio access network device,identical headers to each encoded packet of the first group of encodedpackets.
 17. A receiver device, comprising: a processor; and a memorythat stores executable instructions that, when executed by theprocessor, facilitate performance of operations, comprising: receivingfirst encoded packets associated with a split bearer, wherein the firstencoded packets are received from respective relay devices; verifying anintegrity of the first encoded packets; determining that the firstencoded packets are associated with a radio access bearer satisfying adefined criterion relating to latency and reliability; and decoding thefirst encoded packets using a rateless fountain code, resulting in adecoded packet, and wherein the first encoded packets are encoded withthe rateless fountain code that facilitates reconstructing the decodedpacket from second encoded packets, and wherein a first number of bitsassociated with the second encoded packets is equal to or greater than asecond number of bits associated with a packet associated with the radioaccess bearer.
 18. The receiver device of claim 17, wherein the receiverdevice is a base station device.
 19. The receiver device of claim 18,wherein the verifying the integrity determined that an encoded packet ofthe encoded packets is corrupted.
 20. The receiver device of claim 17,wherein the decoding is performed at a packet data convergence protocollayer of a radio access network protocol stack.
 21. The receiver deviceof claim 17, wherein each encoded packet of the group of encoded packetsan identical header.